Great things ahead for North Branch mall

North Branch Outlets being renamed Shops at Gateway North

by Tesha M. Christensen

North Branch Outlets or the Shops at Gateway North at I35 and Highway 95 has been a draw for the entire region since opening in 1992, and continues to be a hub of retail options.

The mall is rebounding courtesy of new owners LNR, who took over after the mall went into bankruptcy and was sold at a sheriff’s sale in November 2016.

Some residents have been concerned that the mall might close or be torn down, but property manager Weston L. Birkeland of ProEquity Asset Management Corporation wants to reassure people they don’t need to worry.

He pointed to the amount of money being invested to revitalize the mall as proof that it is staying in the community.

The parking lot and sidewalks have been fixed, and the landscaping was completely revamped in 2017. A new sign is planned for the highway, along with the new name: Shops at Gateway.

The mall has also made a point of being involved in local events, such as the fall festival, and sponsored Winterfest.

“We hope by doing this the immediate community will see that we are trying to make this once great retail center a destination of interest again,” Birkeland stated.

FOCUS ON FILLING VACANCIES

Birkeland has been with the property since June 2017. “Since I have been working there, I have noticed a great deal of concern for the mall from the community and that is what I most appreciate about it,” he remarked. “Everyone wants to help or offers advice, and that is a great thing to know. The community around and within are an amazing group of people that make working in the area enjoyable.”

The current focus is to fill all the vacant spots in the mall. The initial investment in improvements must be balanced with finding ways to save. “That means acquiring new vendors that are not always local,” observed Birkeland. As the mall fills back up to capacity, additional improvements will be made.

As of January 2018, tenants included Bass Shoes, Bath & Body Works, Carter’s, Christopher and Banks, Claire’s, Dress Barn, Famous Footwear, Fancy Nails, Gap, GNC, Justice, L’eggs Hanes Bali, Maurices, Nike, North Country Coffee & Cafe, Rue 21, The Kitchen Collection, Van Heusen, and Zales the Diamond Store.

Hours are Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The location is what we believe sets this retail center apart from others,” remarked Birkeland. “The amount of traffic that the area sees on a daily basis is a huge bonus, but also a solid surrounding population.”

GREAT THINGS AHEAD

The shopping center at 38500 Tanger Dr. opened in 1992 as a Stanley K. Tanger outlet mall, and has been under four different management companies since.

“The mall has benefited the community on multiple levels,” remarked North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Lindo. “The economic effect is widespread -- from creating jobs, to providing a needed service and retail options to the region, as well as contributing to the tax base.”

She pointed out that for a number of years the mall was a major draw for Canadian shoppers because of the strength of the dollar and lack of access to products. However, that model of shopping has shifted since the tightening of the dollar and the availability of online markets, which have taken a toll on brick and mortar shops. That said, Lindo believes that shoppers still want to touch and feel before purchasing.

“Local residents have noticed the improvements, and are pleased that the new owners are reinvested in our community,” said Lindo. “We look forward to great things ahead.”

Volunteers help shape their community by helping elected officials make decisions

by Tesha M. Christensen

North Branch and other cities rely on volunteers to help elected officials make their decisions.

These citizens volunteer are appointed to serve on various committees to provide input and to support the information gathering needed by elected officials as they make their decisions, according to North Branch Administrator Renae Fry.

“The citizen volunteers offer a perspective that is based on a more thorough analysis of information that may not be generally known to the public, but which comes from meeting regularly as members of a formally organized citizen committee,” added Fry. 

Citizens apply to committees for a variety of reasons. 

Fry served on her community’s planning commission for three years. “For me, it was my way of getting involved, becoming more knowledgeable about the issues that concerned me, and giving back to my community,” explained Fry. 

“Some volunteers serve as a way of building a resume or getting to know about how government works. Others use it as a way to gain entry into other forms of public service. 

“Regardless of the motive, I see volunteering as a way to participate in shaping the future of one’s community.”

EDA FOCUSES ON BUSINESSES

North Branch has three primary citizen-based advisory bodies. 

The Economic Development Authority meets on the first Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. Appointed members serve a six-year term. 

The EDA manages the marketing, sale and development of the city-owned development land and provides input regarding the overall economic development planning efforts for the city.  

“The North Branch Economic Development Authority takes an aggressive, business-friendly approach to its mission of attracting and retaining industrial and commercial businesses,” explained Fry. 

PLANNING COMMISSION ABOUT DEVELOPMENT

The Planning Commission meets in North Branch on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Appointed members serve a four-year term and make recommendations to the city council.

Planning commissioners primarily deal with matters that involve zoning, subdivision regulation, land use planning, and licensing.

The Planning Commission assists the city staff who make up the designated Planning Agency, and the Planning Commission performs such functions as are deemed necessary or advisable by the Planning Director or City Council.

The Planning Director and City Council may refer any matter to the Planning Commission for study, fact finding, hearing, investigation, inspection, and advice.  

Planning commissioners may conduct public hearings, which includes reviewing applications, analyzing testimony and reviewing and recommending proposed findings of fact and conditions for approval. Commissioners also host public input sessions, and make recommendations to the Planning Agency about changes and amendments to the city’s existing comprehensive plan, ordinances and zoning code.

Gary Schaefer joined the planning commission in October 2017. A 51-year resident of North Branch, Schaefer owned a service station for 15 years, and then worked as the city’s public works director. He retired in 2005.

“Being on the planning commission gives me insight into what is happening and what is being proposed for the future,” Schaefer observed. “I hope to give it direction to benefit everyone.”

He plans to respond to resident comments and concerns, while working for the benefit of all. After four months on the planning commission, Schaefer has respect for his fellow commissioners. “I believe they are all very conscientious,” he said. “I don’t see any particular power group coming to the surface.”

PARKS COMMISSION FOCUSES ON RECREATION

The Parks, Trails and Open Space Commission meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. and serves as an advisory body to the city council.

Volunteers provide input regarding the development, maintenance and management of parks and recreational areas and facilities within the city. Appointed members serve a three-year term.

Commissioners periodically visit, review and evaluate current recreational and park programs, and work to get the public interested in parks and recreation. They review future development, management and maintenance proposals and suggest revisions of the adopted policies, ordinances, regulations and comprehensive plan of the city. Commissioners conduct studies that may be specifically directed by the city council. They work to include schools and other political units.

Commissioners develop an annual capital improvement plan for parks, trails and open space. They also submit an annual report to the city council in September listing the status of ongoing park projects completed during the calendar year, and park projects recommended for the next calendar year.

They are the contact people for fellow residents to share opinions with about parks and recreation in the city.

WATER AND LIGHT FOCUSES ON UTILITIES

The city council appoints the citizen members to the North Branch Water and Light Commission that serves North Branch Water and Light, a separately organized public utility body.

The Water and Light Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. 

For consideration, citizen volunteers must be a customer of either North Branch Water & Light water and/ or electrical services.  Appointed members serve a three-year term. 

More information can be found at www.nbpuc.com.

Printed in the 2018 North Branch Community Guide.

Association members beautify their city

North Branch Beautification Association behind banners on Main Street, mural facelift, memorial benches and Holiday Festival

by Tesha M. Christensen

It was a late night, and Laura Scaramell and her daughter Christine Larson were having dinner at the County Market Cafe after a long day at the family business, Empire Insurance Group.

The duo was chatting about an article Larson had written detailing her community and business outlook as North Branch Chamber President.

“At the time, the community was reeling from the Great Recession – people were losing homes and jobs, and Main Street needed a boost. We thought a Beautification Association would bring a much needed positive light to the community,” recalled Scaramell.

The two started meeting with a few others at the County Market cafe to toss around ideas, and the non-profit North Branch Beautification Association was begun in 2012.

“From our very first meetings, our group has grown to a hundred members with projects that were once a vision that are now a reality,” remarked Scaramell.

BANNERS, FLOWERS AND MORE

The group’s first project was installing banners along Main Street. “We focused on this because we wanted to give Main Street a big boost,” explained Scaramell.  Phase Two was banners along “School Lane.” A child from each school designed those banners. “This increased the patriotism for our schools,” said Scaramell.

The Beautification Association has continued to maintain the banners, and is also behind the seasonal decorations on the city’s light poles. The Holiday LED lights and flower baskets are sponsored by families or businesses at $90 a basket. Another mainstay project for the organization is the placement of memorial benches around town.

The group also undertakes projects that are a one-time event. In the past, this has included a farmers’ market to raise funds for beautification projects, and restoring the Coke mural in town.

The facelift for the historic Coke mural was three years in the making. When motorists drive through downtown North Branch they now see a vibrant mural on the side of the Cutting Zone building (6355 Main St.) that pays homage to Coca-Cola’s past. Tony Stafki of Walls of Art LLC retouched the mural that had not been repainted since the 1990s. Generous donors Barb and Michael Nelson launched the project with a $1,800 donation, Coca-Cola added $1,000 and the Darrin Carlson family donated $200.

The group’s next big project is being headed up by Barb Swenson. The Beautification Association has obtained approval from the city, county and state to build a large-scale, strategic planting at the main four-way stop in North Branch at the northwest corner of Highways 61 and 95. 

“We will have a small pathway, flowers, trees and a bench,” stated Scaramell. “We are looking for financial donors for this project, and people to help on this committee.”

For the past two years, the association has organized a Christmas Festival in Central Park. In 2017, Linda Prince, an original member of the Beautification Association, was the Grand Marshal for the first Holiday Light Parade. The parade itself was organized by Linda Gustafson Solle.

“The festival has been a huge success with Tree Lighting Ceremony, food, Christmas shops, a Santa tent, a live nativity sponsored by the Main Street Church, s’more roasting bonfire with free s’mores provided by our organization, games, lit Christmas parade, caroling by Veritas Academy and musical entertainment,” said Scaramell. “The cost and time spent by the many volunteers to put on this event was absorbed by our organization as a way to say ‘thank you’ to the community that supports our endeavors.”

ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH CITY

While the Beautification Association is not part of the city, it maintains close ties and works with the city on planning projects. North Branch GIS/Planning Specialist Nate Sondrel serves on the Beautification Association Board. “Nate has been a great liaison for us when we plan projects,” remarked Scaramell. In addition, the city’s municipal utility, North Branch Water and Light, helps hang and/or dismantle banners, install the LED holiday lights winding up the lamp posts, and hang and water the flower baskets in the summer.

“Without them, these precious projects would never have been realized,” said Scaramell. “If you see someone from our municipal utility, please thank them!”

BEAUTY DRAWS RESIDENTS TO LIVE IN NORTH BRANCH

Over the years, the Beautification Association had heard many positive responses from the community and even found out about a delegation that had been touring the city that commented to city officials on the banners and baskets. 

“We have heard from new members who joined our organization that when they were looking for places to live, North Branch stood out because it looked like the people and businesses that lived here cared about the appearance of Main Street,” stated Scaramell. “They told us this was part of their decision to move here.”

WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD

Scaramell and Larson are delighted that their late-night talk blossomed into a vibrant and ambitious group that works together for the common good.

Scaramell had been part of a beautification association while living in Long Island, NY, and her two daughters had grown up volunteering for that and other organizations. Scaramell, and her husband Joe relocated to North Branch in 2000 when their two daughters were teenagers.

Christine has been President of the Beautification Association since the very beginning and Scaramell has retained the role of Vice President. “She has been a powerhouse of energy, ideas and leadership that I, as her mom am very proud of,” said Scaramell. “In addition, my husband Joe is basically our ‘Operations Guy’ for lots of behind-the-scenes stuff. He checks the banners on the poles, does electric and lighting at our events, and in the past has cut down 600+ cornstalks for use along Main Street in the fall.”

Others contributing considerable time and passion to the beautification association include Lorie Pinsonneault (Treasurer), Barbara Boelk (Secretary), Linda Prince (Officer), Barb Swenson (Officer), and Nate Sondrol (Officer).

It is these people that she works with and “the positivity of taking our paintbrush and rendering our city a more beautiful place to live and work” that drives Scaramell.

The Beautification Association welcomes new members, and can be reached at BeautificationNB@gmail.com, 651-332-0779, or 6063 Main St; Suite A, Box 8 North Branch MN 55056.

“Come visit us in person at our membership meetings,” encourages Scaramell.

Printed in the 2018 North Branch Community Guide.